TCU stands by Jeremiah Wright invite

Texas Christian University’s Brite Divinity School stands behind an already-extended invitation to controversial pastor Jeremiah Wright. Brite decided months ago to honor Rev. Wright, pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. The pastor, whose church is Barack Obama’s home church, has been the focus of political discourse recently for his intemperate comments, which led to Obama making a speech today in part to further distance himself from those comments.

A Brite press release says:

“Contrary to media claims that Wright preaches racial hatred, church leaders who have observed his ministry describe him as a faithful preacher of the gospel who has ministered in a context radically different from that of many middle class Americans.”

Wright was previously the Wells Preacher for Brite’s annual Ministers Week in 2001, and supposedly the best-received minister to have that honor.

Nonetheless, expect local winger Mark Davis, national winger Rush Limbaugh, or other wingers to organize protests at TCU, to call on Obama to denounce TCU, etc.

The problem with Wright is in part what Obama said. He’s still trapped in the ’60s to some degree. No, things aren’t perfect today. But race relations are better. And, we need to look more at socioeconomic issues regardless of racial background.

Who knows? Maybe Wright will seize on this opportunity.

Sadly, though, I won’t be holding my breath on that.